As the seasons change, so does life. For over 60 years, Duksa Family Funeral Homes have been privileged to serve families throughout Central Connecticut with caring, personal attention and professional service.
Nationally recognized for our innovation and commitment to service excellence, we listen carefully to help families create simple or elaborate one-of-a-kind tributes that become cherished experiences.

Newington Memorial
Burritt Hill
Fisette-Batzner

Our Obituaries

April 13, 2018

It is with great sadness, that we announce the passing of our mother, Norma E. Blinn on April 13, 2018. She loved being with family and at the beaches in Rhode Island and the southern coast of Maine. She is survived by a son and daughter, John Laseter and his significant other, Sandra Shepard, and Terri Markland (Laseter). She is also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as her BFF...
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April 2, 2018

Raymond G. Kerber, 76, of Rocky Hill, formerly of Newington, beloved husband of Irene (St.Germain) Kerber, passed away at home, holding his wife's hand on April 2, 2018. He was the son of the late Cyril Kerber and Mildred Kerber Visconti. Ray proudly served in the United States Marine Corps and received a Good Conduct Medal 1st Award. He later graduated with a degree in accounting. Ray worked as...
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March 22, 2018

Helena (Soares) Medeiros, 86, of Hartford, beloved wife of the late Jose N. Medeiros, died Thursday March 22, 2018. She was born in Santa Maria Azores, a daughter of the late Manuel and Maria (Nunes) Soares and was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church. Helena is survived by her son Joseph Medeiros and his wife Nidia, of Newington, her grandchildren Brian and Kevin Medeiros and his fiancé Rachel...
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March 19, 2018

Robert Harry Deeran, 76, departed this life on Monday, March 19, 2018. Robert was born in Detroit, MI on March 17th, 1942, son of the late Harry and Waneta (Baughman) Deeran and resided in Hartford most of his life.
Robert had a great appreciation for cars and planes. He loved going for rides on his motorcycle, enjoyed country music and loved a good holiday meal. Friends may call at Fisette...
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February 24, 2018

Joseph R. Garneau, 78, of West Hartford, passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2018. He was the beloved husband of Barbara M. (Antaya) Garneau for 54 years. Born in Madawaska, ME, son of the late Alcide and Doris (Nadeau) Garneau, he was a longtime Hartford resident prior to moving to West Hartford 25 years ago. Joseph served his country honorably for eight years in the U.S. Army and spent...
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November 23, 2017

Judith-Anne (Lucier) Smith passed away peacefully on November 23, 2017. Judith was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Laura (Bugbee) Lucier and was a loving mother and grandmother. She leaves behind 2 children Geoffrey Smith and his wife Suzanne, of Beaumont Texas, and Jody Michaud and her husband Gerard, of Glastonbury, 6 grandchildren and her companion of 18 years, Rodney Vaillancourt. She...
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November 19, 2017

Frank R.C. Nemeth, 90, of West Hartford, beloved husband of the late Elizabeth (DiBenedetto) Nemeth died Sunday, November 19, 2017 at his home. Frank was born in Hartford, the son of John and Mary (Poltl) Nemeth and was a Greater Hartford resident all of his life. He retired in 1991 from the Pratt and Whitney Machine Tool Co., of West Hartford after 40 years of service. Frank was a World War II...
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September 27, 2017

Lorraine Noella (Rouleau) Donegan, 89, beloved wife of the late John E. Landers and John Donegan, died Wednesday, September 27, 2017. Lorraine was born in Hartford on October 28, 1927, the daughter of the late Ernest and Valeda (Desautels) Rouleau. She was a graduate of Mount Saint Joseph Academy in West Hartford, class of 1946. In her yearbook she was noted as "the heart benevolent and kind"....
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July 11, 1928 - August 3, 2017

Philip J. Bourque 89, passed away peacefully in the presence of his beloved family. Phil was blessed to be married to his sweetheart, Grace Bourque, for 67 years. They raised two children, Denise Bourque of Weaverville CA (pre-deceased), and Ron Bourque (Barbara Bourque) of Burlington CT. Phil was loved and adored by his two grand-daughters, Lisa Galinski (Seth Galinski), and Pam Delfino (Dan...
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July 7, 2017

Jacqueline "Jackie" A. (Adams) Pencz Whalen, 84, of East Hartford, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 7, 2017. She was the beloved wife of David E. Whalen and the late Eugene J. Pencz. Born in Hartford, daughter of the late Charles and Irene (Beaulieu) Adams, she was an East Hartford resident since 1998. She was a member of the VFW Women's Auxiliary, Hannon-Hatch, Post 9929 in West...
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April 29, 2017

Marie H. (Hoffman) Sammarco, 90, beloved wife of the late Frank Sammarco died Saturday, April 29, 2017. Marie was born in Sharon, daughter of the late Charles and Cecilia (Hanley) Hoffman and resided in Lakeville for many years prior to relocating to Florida, eight years ago. She was employed as a Commercial Artist at various retail businesses followed by several years at the Sharon Hospital. ...
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March 25, 2017

John R. O'Hare, 89, of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at his home. He was the beloved husband of Therese (Dauphinais) O'Hare for 64 years. Born December 23, 1927 in Hartford, son of the late James and Mabel (Larson) O'Hare, he was a Wethersfield resident for 58 years and an active member of the Church of the Incarnation. John attended West Hartford public...
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February 11, 2017

George H. LeBlanc, 81, of Hartford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital. Born in Hartford, son of the late William and Emma LeBlanc, he was a lifelong resident and a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church. He was employed by TRW Trucking for 25 years and by Pratt and Whitney in East Hartford until his retirement in 2000. He was a member of the...
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December 25, 2016

Jose Evaristo Soares, 67, of West Hartford, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2016. He was the beloved husband of Maria Celeste (Freitas) Soares for 44 years. Born in Santa Maria, Azores, he resided in the greater Hartford area for the past 44 years and was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Hartford. Jose served in the Portugese Army and retired from...
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November 29, 2016

Gloria (Vaillancourt) Paradis, 84, of Newington, wife of the late Lawrence Paradis died Tuesday, November 29, 2016. She was a Newington resident for over 20 years. Gloria is survived by two daughters, Betty Paradis of NH and Lisa Racavich of PA; two sons-in-law, Richard Kelly of Canton and Matthew Buczacki of Newington; two sisters, Joanne Therrien of Canterbury and Jeannette St. Germain of ME;...
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November 10, 2016

Patricia (Mathieu) Desautels, 92, of Hartford, beloved wife of the late Donald J. Desautels, died Thursday, November 10, 2016. Born in Killingly, a daughter of the late Edgar and Sarah (Mullen) Mathieu, and resided in the greater Hartford area for many years. Patricia was retired from the Board of Education, City of Hartford, after 29 years of service as a paraprofessional and was a member of St...
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February 8, 1924 - September 23, 2016

Helene G. LeBlanc, 92, of Wethersfield and Rocky Hill, beloved wife of the late Leonard J. LeBlanc, died Friday, September 23, 2016. She was born in Memramcook Ouest, New Brunswick, Canada. The daughter of the late Ernest and Alberta (LeBlanc) Gaudet and resided for many years in Hartford.
Helene was a member of the Wethersfield Senior Center, Incarnation Women's Club, Rosary Alter Society of...
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June 30, 1917 - September 23, 2016

Sister Catherine McNally (Sister Joseph Theodore), a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT, died at Monsignor Bojnowski Manor in New Britain on Friday, September 23, 2016. Born in Westport, CT June 30, 1917 of the late Thomas J. McNally and Mary Esther Reilly McNally, Sister Catherine entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, on September 8, 1937 and celebrated her Profession of Vows...
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September 1, 2016

Stephen A. Nemeth, 88, of Hartford, died Thursday September 1, 2016 and was a lifelong resident of the city. He was born in Hartford, the son of the late John and Mary (Poltl) Nemeth and was a devout communicant of Our Lady of Sorrows Church where he was a former member of the Parish Council as well as a Eucharistic Minister. Stephen was a longtime member of the Parkville Senior Center and...
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August 28, 2016

Nancy B. (Massey) Chasse, 81, of Vernon, VT, formerly of Wethersfield, beloved wife of the late Normand J. Chasse, died Sunday August 28, 2016 in Vernon, VT. She was born in Madawaska, ME, a daughter of the late Aline (Levesque) and Willie Massey. "Fancy" Nancy was a member of St. Michael's Church, in Brattleboro, VT. She was employed by Caldor's for many years and later did private housecleaning...
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May 2, 2016

Norbert N. Deslaurier, 98, of Hartford, beloved husband of Ida (Boccucci) Deslaurier for 76 years, died Monday, May 2, 2016. Norbert was born in Hartford, a son of the late Joseph P. and Cleas (Bessette) Deslaurier and was a lifelong resident of the city. He was a 75 year member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree and a faithful and active member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church. Besides his wife...
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March 29, 2016

Robert "Bob" W. Ellis, 62, of Seymour, beloved husband of Bette (McGuire) Ellis for 36 years, died Tuesday, March 29, 2016 surrounded by his family after a short courageous battle with cancer. Bob was born in Stamford, a son of the late Raymond and Louise (Harvey) Ellis and was a 33 year resident of Seymour. He was a graduate of Rippowam High School and City College of New York. Bob was a member...
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February 4, 2016

Maria "Celeste" (Rodrigues) Gomes, 87, of West Hartford, died on Thursday, February 4, 2016. She was born in Prazeres de Aljubarrota, Portugal to the late Jose Rodrigues Igrovia Junior and Amelia (da Conceicao) Rodrigues in 1928. She was employed in Food Service at The Hartford for many years and was active in the Senior Community Center at Our Lady of Fatima Church. Celeste is survived by her...
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February 2, 2016

Stephen C. Pinkham, 71, of Hartford, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at his home. He was born in Hartford to the late Stephen P. and Frances (Mankus) Pinkham in 1944. Stephen was employed by the Stanadyne Corporation for 46 years. He was a humble and generous soul who enjoyed photography, hiking, metal detecting and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his...
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January 5, 2016

Robert F. (Bob) Bouvier, son of Antonio and Mary O. (Robert) Bouvier passed away at home on January 5, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born in Woonsocket, RI on February 2, 1931 and soon thereafter the family moved to Hartford, CT. Son of a barber, Bob attended St. Anne's School, St. Thomas Seminary and graduated from Hartford Public High School. Bob served in the U.S. Navy during...
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November 24, 2015

Lawrence Paradis, 84, of Newington, passed away on November 24, 2015. Born on February 27, 1931, in Soldier Pond, ME, Lawrence was the son of the late Lawrence and Cecile (Labbe) Paradis and the beloved husband of 64 years to Gloria (Vaillancourt) Paradis. Prior to his retirement, he was employed as an inspector for the Hansen-Whitney Corporation of West Hartford. He was a communicant of St....
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November 16, 2015

Daniel J. Kolavage, 79, of Auburn, MA, formerly of Hartford, beloved husband of the late Marie (Balczuk) Kolavage, died Monday, November 16, 2015. He was born in Shenandoah, PA, a son of the late Joseph and Frances (Alstein) Kolavage and resided in Hartford for many years. Daniel served in the U.S. Army and retired from Hamilton Standard, United Technologies after many years of service. Daniel is...
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October 26, 2015

Harriet A. (Goodale) Cramer, 79, of Glastonbury, beloved wife of George W. Cramer, died Monday, October 26, 2015. Harriet was born in Manchester, a daughter of the late Frank and Alice (Field) Goodale and was a longtime resident of East Hartford and Glastonbury. She was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Along with her husband, George, Harriet is survived by her...
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June 12, 2015

Merile L. Greenwood, of West Hartford, died on Friday, June 12, 2015. Merile was born in Montpelier, VT, daughter of Elinor L. (Bacon) Prevost and the late Cleon A. Greenwood, she resided in West Hartford for many years and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Hartford and a life member of the VFW Auxiliary #792 in Montpelier. Along with her mother, she leaves her son Paul Sherman of...
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June 1, 2015

Fernand "Fred" Fongemy, 88, longtime resident of Newington, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2015. He was predeceased by his wife RoseMarie (Steben) Fongemy after 46 years of marriage. A loving and devoted father, he leaves behind five children, Irene Rousseau and her husband Eric, of Newington, Michael Fongemy and his wife Caroline, of Kannapolis, NC, Linda Todd and her husband Mark,...
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April 5, 2015

Helene Malinowski Hayes, 93 passed away peacefully, on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015 at her home at Middlewoods of Farmington, Connecticut.She was the loving and devoted wife of the late Francis E. (Frank) Hayes, Sr. They shared 57 wonderful years of marriage. Born April 1, 1922 in Hartford, Connecticut, she was the daughter of Stanley and Honorata (Cackowski) Malinowski. She attended St. Cyril...
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January 1, 2015

Josephine M. (Alesi) Doherty, 94, of Newington, wife of the late Daniel P. Doherty, Jr., died Thursday, January 1, 2015 at home. Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Alphonse Alesi and Jennie (Abruzzi) Alesi and a graduate of Bulkeley H.S. She was a career civil servant with the U.S. Dept. of Defense and federal Small Business Administration in California and Connecticut for 33...
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December 10, 2014

Edward S. Klemonski, 74, of Hartford, died Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was the son of the late Edward J. and Sally D. (Gaiewski) Klemonski. Edward was a graduate of Fordham University where he received his B.A., and UConn Law School where he obtained his J.D. His education led him to a successful career as an attorney in the greater Hartford area for over...
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December 5, 2014

Gilbert F. Daniels, 99, of Hartford. Beloved husband of the late Lucienne (Thibodeau) Daniels, died peacefully on Friday, December 5, 2014 at Hartford Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born on July 22, 1915 in Yarmouth, Maine, the oldest son of the late Laura (Waite) and Joseph A. Daniels. He was predeceased by two brothers Walter and Ernest Daniels. Gil attended schools in Maine and...
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November 23, 2014

Yvonne (Tremblay) Provencher, 87, of Wethersfield, died Sunday, November 23, 2014. Yvonne was born in Canada, a daughter of the late Treffle and Maria Anna (Godbout) Tremblay, and resided in East Hartford for 35 years before moving to Wethersfield in 2000. She retired from Merrow Machine Co. after 30 years of employment. Yvonne was an avid Yankees fan, even attending Spring training in Florida....
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September 26, 2014

Rita Levesque, 83, of West Hartford, passed away on Friday, September 26, 2014 at St. Mary Home in West Hartford. Born in New Brunswick, Canada, she was the daughter of the late Louis J. Levesque and Sadie (Dionne) Levesque. Rita spent the early years of her life in Van Buren, ME. She had resided at St. Mary Home in West Hartford for the past 20 years and worked for Royal Typewriter Corporation...
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August 6, 2014

Lydia Janet Barrieau, of West Hartford, daughter of the late Herve and Marie Barrieau, died Wednesday, August 6, 2014. Born in Hartford, she resided in Atlanta, GA, Rome, Italy and Bridgeport. A graduate of Hartford High School and Oglethorpe University, Lydia was employed by the College Board of Atlanta. She then pursued a life abroad where Lydia served as a member of the Food and...
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July 12, 2014

Ethel L. O'Meara, 94, of West Hartford, the loving wife of the late Raymond J. "Rex" O'Meara, passed away on Saturday, July 12th, 2014 at Seabury Retirement Community in Bloomfield. Born in Hartford, daughter of the late John Alfred and Pearl Hazel (Murphy) Johnson, she was a lifelong resident of Hartford and West Hartford. Ethel and her husband "Rex" owned Rex O'Meara's Flower Shop in West...
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June 5, 2014

Patricia J. (Barry) Roman, 79, died Thursday, June 5, 2104 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. She was born in Hartford, daughter of the late Joseph and Julia (Shugrue) Barry and lived in the Parkville Section of Hartford for most of her life. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church. She attended AI Prince Tech School and earned her LPN. She loved working as a nurse at...
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September 7, 1927 - April 25, 2014

Theresa M. (Ouellette) Roy, 86, a longtime resident of Newington, earned her angel wings on Friday evening, April 25, 2014. Born on September 7, 1927 in Baker Brook, New Brunswick, Canada, Theresa was the daughter of the late Denis and Clauda (Nadeau) Ouellette and the beloved wife of 45 years to Herbert G. Roy of Newington. Theresa was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Newington and she...
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April 15, 2014

Marie (Gosselin) Barrieau, 93, of West Hartford, beloved wife of the late Herve J. Barrieau, died Tuesday, April 15, 2014. She was born in Black Lake, P.Q., Canada, a daughter of the late J. Henri and Adele (Marcoux) Gosselin, and resided in Hartford for many years before moving to West Hartford in 1990. She was a former member of the Ladies of St. Anne and Les Dames De Francaise. Marie is...
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March 23, 2014

Robert "Bob" Erving Atkinson, 98, of West Hartford, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2014. He was the beloved husband of Marjorie "Peg" (Putnam) Atkinson and the late Rita M. (Fisette) Atkinson. Born in Athol, MA, he was a West Hartford resident since 1964 and retired from United Technologies in East Hartford after twenty-five years of employment. Robert retired to the Chatfield community in...
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February 5, 2014

Napoleon "Paul" Joseph Brideau, 95, of Bloomfield, CT, beloved husband of the late Emilia "Mimi" (Hache) Brideau, who predeceased him in 1998 after 48 years of marriage, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at Alexandria Manor in Bloomfield. He was born in Tracadie, New Brunswick Canada on April 24, 1918, to Joseph and Marie-Louise (Landry) Brideau. He was employed as a carpenter...
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October 23, 2013

Wesley John Bialosuknia, 68, of Bristol, CT, father, grandfather and husband of 39 years, passed away Wednesday afternoon, October 23, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center surrounded by family and a cherished friend. Born on June 8, 1945 in Poughkeepsie, NY, he was the son of Wes Sr. and Catherine (Tulacz) Bialosuknia. His early years were spent on many ball fields and in gyms...
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October 18, 2013

J. Rino Ringuette, 86, of Middlewoods of Farmington, formerly of East Hartford, died on Friday, October 18, 2013 at the UConn Medical Center. He was born in St. Basile, New Brunswick, Canada, and moved to Madawaska, ME at an early age. He was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran. Rino was employed by Hamilton Standard for 2 years and then worked for Kaman Corporation for 28 years retiring in 1989. He...
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October 18, 2013

Paul Whalen, 83, of Rocky Hill CT and Vero Beach, FL, beloved husband of Pauline (Chase) Whalen, died on October 18, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family. He formerly lived in West Hartford and Newington. Paul was born on December 8, 1929 in Hartford to Thomas and Margaret (Guinan) Whalen and attended Prince Tech. He left school to join the Navy where he was assigned as an Airman 1st Class...
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August 28, 2013

Mary A. (Hiltz) Silva, 85, of Wethersfield, beloved wife of the late Frank Silva, died Wednesday, August 28, 2013. She was born in Hartford, the daughter of the late Glen and Elizabeth (Harvey) Hiltz and resided in Hartford for most of her life, relocating to Wethersfield 17 years ago. Mary was a member of the Parkville Senior Center. She was employed by the former Underwood Typewriter and...
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August 1, 1935 - August 16, 2013

Patricia (Lavertu) Gendreau of Newington, beloved wife of Alcide Gendreau died peacefully August 16, 2013. She was born August 1, 1935 in Grand Isle, Maine, daughter of the late Oneil and Delphine Lavertu. A graduate of St. Mary's Nursing School, Lewiston, Maine and the first class of nurse practitioners at UCONN, she worked as a nurse in the Hartford School System, 17 years at Waverly Simpson...
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July 27, 2013

Nelson Rui Freitas, 40, of New Britain, died Saturday, July 27, 2013 at home. He was born in Hartford, the son of Antonio and Delta (Figueiredo) Freitas of Portsmouth, RI, and resided in East Hartford for many years before relocating to New Britain recently. Nelson was a graduate of Newington High School and was employed by the A and M Towing and Recovery Co. Besides his parents Antonio and Delta...
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